Theme Park Rangers

Universal Studios officially opened Minion Land. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil and Central Florida Explorer Patrick Connolly discuss the new interactive attraction, Illumination's Villain-Con Minion Blast, and the tasty treats offered: Think banana-flavored popcorn and banana bread beer. They then switch gears and focus on Halloween Horror Nights, the after-hours ticketed event t...

Sadly, Theme Park Rangers podcast says goodbye to Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Katie Rice. Katie is leaving her post covering the business side of Central Florida attractions at the Sentinel. She is off on another adventure that will most definitely include fewer theme parks. But before she leaves, she talks with her colleague Dewayne Bevil about some of her favorite rides, how to pack for th...

The battle between Walt Disney Co. and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over the fate of the former Reedy Creek Improvement District continues to heat up, but what does that mean for park guests? Orlando Sentinel reporters Katie Rice and Skyler Swisher have been covering this story since the beginning. They condense 14 months of developments into a 25-minute episode discussing what led us here, where...

SeaWorld Orlando's annual passholders will get their first rides aboard Pipeline roller coaster starting May 12. The "surfing" coaster will open to the public May 27. Also new to SeaWorld are two great hammerhead sharks now living at the Shark Encounter attraction. The young male sharks, named Dutch and Dillon, were transferred from Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta in a collaborative effort to protect...

On this episode of Theme Park Rangers, Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss the fire that damaged the Maleficent dragon at Disneyland and its impact on Disney World shows. They also introduce listeners to BBot, one of the latest security employees at the Orange County Convention Center. And the Wheel at Icon Park debuted an onboard gaming element called The Great...

The Theme Park Rangers say goodbye to Poseidon's Fury at Universal's Islands of Adventure and celebrate Animal Kingdom's birthday. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice share memories about the show that is closing May 9 (a replacement attraction has not been announced) and highlights from 25 years at Disney's youngest park. Also discussed is a new immersive experience on...

Annual passed are back! Walt Disney World will start selling three levels of its annual passes to it theme parks again as of April 20. Coming back this month are the Incredi-Pass, the Sorcerer Pass and the Pirate Pass — all of which saw price increases of $50-$100 in December. The sales were suspended in November 2021. Disney guests can also look forward to new scenes and characters being added to...

"I was absolutely flabbergasted," Nathan Firesheets said about the people around the world — on social media and in person — cheering him on in the high moments and offering support in the low ones. Nathan, 34, an avid theme park fan from Georgia, watched those fans grow as he visited every Disney theme park worldwide and rode every operating ride in a marathon trip, giving himself roughly one day...

At a recent Disney panel at the South by Southwest conference, Imagineers introduced a robotic rabbit wearing a helmet and roller skates. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Katie Rice and Dewayne Bevil discuss the robot, modeled after the character Judy Hopps from Disney's 2016 animated film "Zootopia," and when it might show up at Disney parks. Also on this episode, Tron Lightcycle / Run enters i...

Welcome to a Spring Break edition of Theme Park Rangers podcast where you can expect packed theme parks, heavy traffic and sunburnt tourists. In this episode, Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss the new "Toy Story" barbecue restaurant at  Disney's Hollywood Studios . Roundup Rodeo BBQ  is scheduled to open March 23 and will surround diners in a "Toy Story" setti...

Universal Studios Hollywood's Super Nintendo World officially opened Feb. 17 after weeks of previews and fan anticipation. The land, featuring characters from the Japanese video game company Nintendo's Mario franchise, is the only land that Universal Orlando has confirmed is coming to Epic Universe. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Katie Rice and Dewayne Bevil discuss the immersive elements of t...

Topiaries are on display at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. New this year are Luisa, Mirabel, Antonio and Isabela from "Encanto" and Princess Tiana from "The Princess and the Frog." Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss the visual elements, menu and musical lineup. They also discuss upcoming changes to the Disney parks reservation system and Tron...

Half of our Theme Park Rangers duo successfully secured at spot on the Tron Lightcycle / Run passholder preview. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice reveal the results from last week's virtual queue waiting game. Meanwhile Dewayne joined a cast member on the yet-to-open Magic Kingdom ride and shares his experience. Tron officially opens to the public on April 4. He also...

Excitement for Tron LIghtcycle / Run is mounting as Walt Disney World annual passholders began registering to preview the Magic Kingdom ride. And across the park work is happening on the rebranding of Splash Mountain into Tiana's Bayou Adventure. Tron preview (:34) Restraint system (6:08) The queue (12:52) 'Splash Mountain water' for sale (19:43) Tiana's Bayou Adventure progress (27:06)

Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval is in full swing at Universal Studios. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss the celebration that runs nightly through April 16. They offer tips on how best to navigate the parade (lots of beads and mythical creatures), festival foods (offerings go beyond typical Mardi Gras fare), and concerts (on select nights). Mardi...

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice tackle Tron Lightcycle details, a Gatorland goodbye and the power outage at ICON Park in this episode of Theme Park Rangers podcast. Tron ride virtual queue (1:35) RIP, Chester (7:54) Wheel at ICON Park (14:14) Garden Rocks concerts (17:26)

It's the most brows-able of the Epcot fests. The International Festival of the Arts showcases Disney artists, culinary dishes that look as good as they taste and Broadway musicians. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss Figment grape smoothies, a $4,000 painting and pin tables from 1982. Most browsable festival (1:21) $4,000 painting (4:28) Disney artists (8:14) W...

It's festival season at area theme parks. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss Universal's Mardi Gras concert lineup and parade theme, new topiaries planned for Epcot flower and garden fest and other notable happenings at Central Florida attractions.  Universal's Mardi Gras (1:42) CityWalk hosts "Premier League Mornings Live" (10:52) Rock the Universe (13:59) Flo...

Legoland Florida theme park launches a new boat ride and Disney World and Universal share some surprising news about park reservations, a big ride's opening date and new projects. Disney AP park-hopping news (1:01) Tron opening date (6:16) Return of firework shows (9:03) Legoland boat ride opens (11:10) Universal projects in Texas and Las Vegas (21:49)

The new year is here and with it brings exciting changes to area theme parks. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss new rides opening in 2023 and several attractions that will close for good. Legoland Pirate River Quest (1:19 ) Disney Tron (4:31) Splash Mountain closing (8:39) Epcot changes: Moana & new spectacular (12:28) SeaWorld Surf coaster (14:05) Universal ...

It's time to honor the highs and lows in 2022 theme parks news. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice compiled a list of notable happenings at Central Florida attractions and slotted them into the categories Biggest Head-spinners, Most Meh, and the Incomplete Trophy (aka Too Soon to Say). A new ride, a sudden departure and a visit to a galaxy far, far away all made the li...

The live-stage musical "Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular" returns to Islands of Adventure and, after a two-year absence, ICE is back at Gaylord Palms with an ice-sculpture exhibit that portrays Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." In this episode of Theme Park Ranger, Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice pop open a can of Who Hash and dish on all the holiday offer...

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss a Minions-base attraction coming to Universal Studios in summer 2023 and the newly opened Great Movie Escape at Universal CityWalk where participants solve brainteasers based on the  "Jurassic World" and "Back to the Future" film franchises. More Minions coming (1:39) Minion blaster ride (3:36) Escape room first impressions (1...

The clock is running if you want to ride Splash Mountain one more time before it closes. You have until Jan. 22 to experience the log ride in its current form. Then it will close and the transformation into Tiana's Bayou Adventure will begin. The new ride based on "The Princess and the Frog" will open in late 2024. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss details abo...

There is a lot going on at Disney and Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Katie Rice and Dewayne Bevil are on top of all the happenings. The two discuss Walt Disney's Co.'s decision to oust CEO Bob Chapek and reinstate former longtime CEO Bob Iger. Disney World also revealed increases in theme-park ticket prices and said for the first time it will charge extra for one-day tickets based on which par...